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Big Sable Point Lighthouse, MCP photo by Rob Alway.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — After being closed since Sept. 3, 2024, the Ludington State Park is reopening on Wednesday, June 25, five days earlier than originally planned.
The park has been closed for $2.635 million in renovations paid from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) COVID relief funds provided to the state of Michigan during the pandemic.
Park enhancements have included paving the park’s main road and the Hamlin Lake day-use area parking lot, expanding parking at Lake Michigan and warming shelters, and enhancing traffic and pedestrian flow at the park entrance.
“Visitors can now enjoy newly repaved roads, upgraded pedestrian walkways and improved parking areas,” said James Gallie, park manager.
Day use of the park opens on June 25 and campgrounds and overnight lodging will reopen on Thursday, June 26.
“Due to this new timeline, reservations taking place June 26 -30 will be released at 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, via the reservation system,” Gallie said.
Campsites have already been booked from July 1 onward, Gallie added.
The park has been closed north of the Big Sable River. As a result, Big Sable Lighthouse has also been closed. With the early opening, the lighthouse will open on June 25 as well.
Big Sable Lighthouse is operated by the Lakeshore Keepers, formerly Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers. Its summer schedule is Mondays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; from Sept. 11 to Oct. 26 it will be open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission to climb the tower is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 17 and under. Active military service members and veterans are admitted free. Children must be at least 40 inches tall in order to climb the tower; carrying is not allowed.
Big Sable Lighthouse is accessible by hiking two miles from the park’s gate. On select dates, visitors can ride a bus. Those dates are Saturday, July 12 and Thursday, July 24, Satuday, Aug. 2, Thursday, Aug. 14, and Saturday, Aug. 30. Buses from from noon to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $6 round trip for adults; $3 one way; children ages 17 and under are $4 round trip and $2 one way; admission to the state park and tower entrance are not included.
To ride the bus, park at the main entrance of Ludington State Park and follow signs to the park office. A tent will be set up where you can purchase bus tickets and wait for the next shuttle. The last return bus leaves Big Sable at 5 p.m.
For updates and more information, visit: LakeshoreKeepers.org
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